SEATTLE – He had to walk through his share of punishment to do it, but Justin Salas managed to give just a little more than he got against Aaron Riley on Saturday, and a split decision victory was his reward.

The lightweight bout was part of today’s UFC on FOX 8 event at KeyArena in Seattle. It streamed on Facebook ahead of additional prelims on FX and a main card on FOX.

For the better part of three rounds, Salas managed to use an elusive, unpredictable attack to stymie Riley’s offense and sting him when the opportunities presented themselves. Though Riley was the busier fighter, it was Salas who landed the more effective blows, slicing Riley open around his left eye early and bloodying his nose later in the fight.

Riley’s best shot at a late comeback came in the third round, when he wobbled Salas with a head kick. Ultimately, it wasn’t enough to get him back in the fight, as Salas survived the third and took the decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) on two of the three judges’ scorecards.

“That’s the fight I’ve been waiting for,” Salas said. “I wanted to go out there and show the world I’m a fighter. My last fight, I was really disappointed that I didn’t get to show who I am and how I fight. But I’m getting more and more comfortable in there. I’m just going to keep working and getting better and keep developing my game.”

Salas (11-4 MMA, 2-1 UFC) notches his second win in the UFC, bouncing back from a TKO loss to Tim Means in June 2012. Riley (30-14-1 MMA, 3-6 UFC) has now lost two in a row in the UFC, and three of his past four.

As the UFC 189 tour made its last stop in Dublin, featherweight champ Jose Aldo was met with a torrent of abuse from the Irish fans. It might have been unpleasant, but it might also have been just what he needed.